Potsdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 219 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 219-6
Handrails and guardrails
Operative Text
Every exterior and interior flight of stairs having more than four risers shall have a handrail on one side of the of the stair and every open portion of a stair, landing, balcony, porch, deck, ramp or other walking surface that is more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below shall have guards. Handrails shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in height or more than 42 inches (1067 mm) in height measured vertically above the nosing of the tread or above the finished floor of the landing or walking surfaces. Guards shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in height above the floor of the landing, balcony, porch, deck, or ramp or other walking surface. A. Exception. Guards shall not be required where exempted by the adopted building code.
Potsdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 219 § 219-6 establishes minimum safety standards for handrails and guardrails in residential properties. Any staircase with more than four risers must have a handrail on at least one side, and any open walking surface—such as a balcony, porch, deck, or ramp—elevated more than 30 inches above the ground must have guards. Handrails must fall within a specific height range of 30 to 42 inches, and guards must be at least 30 inches tall, with a limited exception for situations where the adopted building code expressly exempts them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of residential properties in Potsdam should ensure that all stairways with more than four risers are equipped with a compliant handrail, and that any elevated walking surface covered under § 219-6 has guards meeting the prescribed height requirements. Routine property inspections typically include verifying that handrail heights fall between 30 and 42 inches and that guards on balconies, porches, decks, and ramps are at least 30 inches tall. Documenting compliance with these measurements and keeping records of any applicable building-code exemptions under § 219-6(A) are practices commonly associated with maintaining a compliant property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Potsdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 219 § 219-6, tenants have an interest in ensuring that stairways, balconies, porches, and other elevated surfaces in their rental units are equipped with properly sized handrails and guards. If a handrail is missing from a staircase with more than four risers, or if a guard on an elevated surface appears absent or below the required height, this may constitute a code violation that can be reported to the appropriate local code enforcement authority. Tenants who believe a violation exists may also consider consulting a tenant-rights organization to understand the range of options available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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